Childminder in Cornwall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY405231 Inspection date 08/07/2010 Inspector Heather Tanswell

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and eight years in the village of Trewoon, near St Austell. The ground floor rooms used for childminding include the lounge, dining kitchen, conservatory and toilet. The house is close to local schools, shops and a park. There is level access to the property and a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are within the early years age range. They live locally and two also attend a pre-school and/or the early years unit of a local primary school. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a relevant level 3 qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder receives support from Cornwall Council's Children, Schools and Families Directorate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is a well-qualified and experienced childcare professional who uses her knowledge and skills effectively to settle children in and help them learn and develop as they play in a welcoming child-orientated home. The childminder has devised and implemented mostly effective planning and observation systems, policies and procedures to make sure children make good progress, are safe and secure at all times. Established partnerships with parents and other providers who share care and learning responsibility contribute to meeting the individual needs and inclusion of children with some success. The childminder strives for continuous improvement by reflecting on her practice and attending relevant training.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 involve parents in the observation, assessment, target setting and planning cycle  maintain a record of when checks on identified aspects of the environment in risk assessments are carried out. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and knows how to safeguard children from harm. She holds a level 3 early years qualification gained though her work in pre-schools. The childminder keeps up to date with best practice in early years as she continues to attend relevant courses in paediatric first aid, health and safety, child protection as well as aspects of child development such as behaviour management. All the policies and procedures required to safeguard children are in place. The childminder is fully aware that all adults regularly in the home have to be vetted and a record of visitors to the home is kept. The premises are very clean, well maintained, safe and secure. However, the otherwise detailed record of risk assessment for the home and outings does not include information about when checks on identified hazards have been carried out.

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the early years provision

The childminder focuses on helping children feel valued and settled by identifying and meeting their individual needs. The 'All About Me' files completed by parents record initial information about a child's routines, interests, other carers and home life to help the childminder get to know the child and family. Learning journeys linked to the six areas of learning and illustrated with photographs provide a worthwhile record of children's progress in the childminder's care and form the basis of targets set for next steps to influence daily planning. The childminder has made a good start in establishing partnerships with parents and other providers who share the care and learning responsibility. Plans to share children's learning journeys and seek parents' views on targets for children's development and the effectiveness of her practice are in place but not fully embedded in practice. However, the childminder evaluates her work thoughtfully and sets challenging

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the early years provision

targets for her own personal development to build on the already good start she has made in meeting the requirements to become a registered childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder meets with other childminders and attends toddler groups in the area. Outings also include visits to places of interest such as local parks and a castle. As a result, children benefit from discovery, play and learning alongside other children and vetted adults, and become familiar with the wider world. The childminder makes effective use of the toy library, and provides ready access to a broad variety of good quality toys and resources both indoors and out to support active learning. Many of the toys such as dolls, books and puzzles show positive images of other cultures. The childminder's focus on the child's needs makes sure children feel emotionally secure, welcome and fully included.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident, happy and settled in the warm and caring atmosphere of the childminder's home. They enjoy their play and confidently move about the downstairs and garden showing good levels of independence as they choose their favourite toys, take part and cooperate in routines. The childminder takes the time to make sure new children feel special and well cared for which means they settle This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in and know who to go to for support and re-assurance, for example, when they feel tired. Children's personal, social and emotional development receives high priority. Simple house rules mean children know what is expected of them and with the childminder's encouragement, they make friends and learn how to share.

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and outcomes for children

Very young children become skilful communicators as they listen and respond to different sounds. For example, as a train rumbles by or a farm animal toy is picked up or seen in a picture they learn to use their voices by copying what they hear the childminder say and creatively add their versions. Children develop healthy eating habits as the childminder makes sure they have their five-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables and at least one other item from each of the main food groups. They enjoy spending time in the fresh air; they explore and investigate in the garden in sand and water, swing and slide, make marks, or run about on the trampoline. They learn about their local community going on outings to local groups, parks, and school pick-ups and by meeting other childminders and their children.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to keep themselves safe from harm as they learn road safety and to stay close by the childminder on walks, hold hands or the pushchair handle. They practise emergency evacuations of the home and understand the boundaries set for them, for example, where to put shoes as they enter the home, why they need protection from the effects of the sun, and to wash their hands before they eat. The time taken to listen and respond to children means relationships with the childminder and friendships with other children are seen as a source of fun and emotional support. As a result, children behave very well as they make choices, fully occupied by the range of interesting activities on offer; they make good progress in all areas of learning, develop the skills they need to take their next steps, and their individual needs are met well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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